Beijing's last coal-fired power plant suspends operations

Beijing, March 19 (IANS) Beijing's last coal-fired power plant suspended operations paving the way for the capital to become China's first city with all its power plants fuelled by clean energy.

The Huangneng Beijing Thermal Power Plant was built and put into operation in June 1999. It has five coal-fired units with a total installed capacity of 845,000 kw and heating capacity of 26 million square metres, Xinhua news agency reported.

Du Chengzhang, General Manager of the plant, said on Saturday that it is an efficient and environmental friendly plant with advanced emission treatment equipment.

The plant has provided important support to the stable operation of Beijing's electric power system and the heat-supply system.

After the suspension, about 1.76 million tonnes of coal, 91 tonnes of sulfur dioxide and 285 tonnes of nitrogen oxide emissions will be cut annually.

According to a clean air plan by Beijing from 2013 to 2017, the city will build four gas thermal power centres.

Three other plants which used to consume over 6.8 million tonnes of coal each year were closed in 2014 and 2015.

Beijing has 27 power plants, all fuelled by clean energy with a total installed capacity of 11.3 million kw.